FNBO Direct is one of the best online savings accounts not just because it offers high yield interest rates on your deposits but also because it makes accessing your money simple with an ATM card and great customer service as well as being one of the safest online bank accounts.

Easy Access to Online Savings

When you signup up for an FNBO Direct account they give you the option of an FNBO ATM card so that you have easy access to your money even while it’s earning over 3% in your high yield savings account. I really love this feature and wish ING Direct would offer it on their savings account.

Of course your FNBO Direct account is accessible online whenever you need it but something else I’ve been pleased with is their customer service for times you run into problems or questions with the account. They make it easy to get help with online representatives available via a toll free call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I was up late working last night, called FNBO customer service at around 2 AM with a question about logging in, and had my question answered right away. It seems so many other financial institutions you call for help in the evening and get a recorded message, please call back during our normal business hours, 8 – 5. FNBO Direct makes it easier to have access to your money whenever you need it.

Conservative Approach Offers Security

The FNBO Direct parent company, First National Bank of Omaha, saw through the risks of subprime mortgages and easy credit and was not invested in the securities that are tied to collateralized debt obligations and derivatives. While other major banks were failing left and right, the disciplined money management of FNBO kept them secure and actually adding new customers. These are some of the reasons why Bankrate chose FNBO as one of the safest online banks in their Safe and Sound bank rating system.

I’ve already covered how FNBO is the largest privately owned banking company in the US and how the CEO manages risk and has a history of protecting your money, you can read more about the FNBO Direct CEO and its financial strategies.

Competitive Interest Rates

One of the other main reasons I opened an account with FNBO Direct is that they have historically offered some of the best interest rates available in an online savings account. They do track the market, raising and lowering rates along with Fed moves, so the annual percentage yield will fluctuate over time but in comparison to other online bank accounts, FNBO Direct has been one of the top banks in terms of interest rates.

Easy to Open

I was pleased with the ease of opening and funding my account with FNBO Direct. The account creation process went smoothly from the personalized verification identity check to the ACH funding setup. I was even interrupted by a screaming fit from our son right in the middle of the application and was able to come back and pickup right where I left off. If the readers are interested, I can go into the details of the account signup process in another post.

I’d recommend signing up with FNBO Direct, it’s been a good banking experience for me so far, if you try it out let me know how it goes for you.

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Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

I’ve been with them since they had that 6% promotion rate last year, they’ve kept with above average rates since then and I’m a happy camper. I don’t like their site set up though, it’s pretty ugly, but if that’s the price to pay for better rates then so be it. I keep most of my savings with them.

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